Grade 7: Inquiring Minds Want to Know Inquiry Task #1: For your grade / course, identify the "generic" inquiry-based skills you currently employ with your students.
Create a prediction (or hypothesis) for an experiment.
Determine variables within an experiment (independent, dependent, controlled/constant).
Determine groups (control vs. experimental).
Make qualitative and quantitative observations collecting data correctly.
Organize data into tables and convert data (when appropriate) into visual graphs by hand and/or on the computer (Excel or Google Spreadsheet).
Analyze data looking for patterns.
Inquiry Task #2: List the units that currently are taught in which inquiry skills appear. 7th grade units include:Scientific Inquiry/Process (focus on data collection and presentation), Chemistry (atomic structure and the periodic table through balancing chemical equations), Cells (including Cell Transport and Cellular Processes), DNA, Genetics (monohybrid punnett squares), Nervous System (frog dissection) and Ecology (food web and energy pyramid).
Scientific Inquiry and Methodology - Pendulum Lab, Shrunken Head, Gummy Bear Lab, Paper Airplanes, Radish Seeds, Save Fred
Chemistry - Cookie Caper Lab (white powders), Chemical Reaction Lab (CaCO3 in a bag), HCl and Zn reaction
Cellular Processes/Chemistry of Life (photosynthesis/respiration; osmosis/diffusion)
Inquiry Task #3: Brain-storm ideas for how your current units or activities can be made more inquiry-based.
Begin with teacher directed activities, removing instruction and allowing for exploration with defined parameters (for safety!!).
Potentially work with peer teachers to create experiments that are repeatable and expandable per grade/knowledge level.
Inquiry Task #1: For your grade / course, identify the "generic" inquiry-based skills you currently employ with your students.
Create a prediction (or hypothesis) for an experiment.
Determine variables within an experiment (independent, dependent, controlled/constant).
Determine groups (control vs. experimental).
Make qualitative and quantitative observations collecting data correctly.
Organize data into tables and convert data (when appropriate) into visual graphs by hand and/or on the computer (Excel or Google Spreadsheet).
Analyze data looking for patterns.
Inquiry Task #2: List the units that currently are taught in which inquiry skills appear.
7th grade units include: Scientific Inquiry/Process (focus on data collection and presentation), Chemistry (atomic structure and the periodic table through balancing chemical equations), Cells (including Cell Transport and Cellular Processes), DNA, Genetics (monohybrid punnett squares), Nervous System (frog dissection) and Ecology (food web and energy pyramid).
Scientific Inquiry and Methodology - Pendulum Lab, Shrunken Head, Gummy Bear Lab, Paper Airplanes, Radish Seeds, Save Fred
Chemistry - Cookie Caper Lab (white powders), Chemical Reaction Lab (CaCO3 in a bag), HCl and Zn reaction
Cellular Processes/Chemistry of Life (photosynthesis/respiration; osmosis/diffusion)
Inquiry Task #3: Brain-storm ideas for how your current units or activities can be made more inquiry-based.
Begin with teacher directed activities, removing instruction and allowing for exploration with defined parameters (for safety!!).
Potentially work with peer teachers to create experiments that are repeatable and expandable per grade/knowledge level.